Movable vehicle lifting device



Feb. 23, 1937. J. L. BARR 2,071,451-

MOVABLE VEHICLE LIFTING DEVICE Original Filed April 22, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 23, 1931., BARR 2,071,451

MOVABLE VEHICLE LIFTING DEVICE Original Filed April 22, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNlTED STATES i ATET OFFICEOriginal application April 22, 1929, Serial No. 357,254. Divided andthis application January 23, 1934, Se ial No. M195 4 Ciaims.

This invention relates in general to lifting devices and moreparticularly has reference to an apparatus for lending facility toturning the wheels with which steering is efiected when operating avehicle in confined areas and for moving the elevated end of a vehiclewhen the wheels are raised.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 357,254,filed April 22, 192

Previous to this time in operating a vehicle in confined areas, such asare often encountered when parking on busy thoroughfares, extremedii'ficulty is sometimes experienced in turning the wheels of a car whenmomentarily stationary, while maneuvering for the desired position ofthe vehicle. Very often moreover the space is too confined for allowingthe proper positioning of the vehicle by manipulation of the steeringwheels.

In the same manner it has often been a task taxing the energies of adriver to operate the steering mechanism while attempting to positionthe vehicle so as to afford passage out into a thoroughfare from betweenvehicles and other obstructions stationed in the front and rear of thespace. Heretofore there have been provided devices to aid in the turningof a vehicle wheel with which the steering is effected while in astationary position, but such apparatus is usually attended by certaindisadvantages which this invention seeks to overcome.

In general, the prior devices have provided for lifting one wheel of acar from contact with the roadbed, but it is manifest that suchexpedients have not afforded as great an ease of steering as isdesirable under such conditions, and such apparatus has not been adaptedfor automatic looking to prevent inadvertent collapse of the elevatedend of the vehicle.

Furthermore, these devices often have had a tendency to slip along apavement without taking positive hold. Also, further movement of avehicle elevated on a support has been impossible while so positioned,thus no advantage being obtained in spaces too confined for maneuveringthe car by operation of the steering wheels.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for relieving theweight of a vehicle upon the wheels with which the steering is efiectedtending to move to a vertical position previous to operation. v

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forsimultaneously elevating the wheels by Which steering of a vehicle iseffected which may be locked in position when the vehicle is raised.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forrelieving the weight on the wheels of a vehicle by which the steering iseffected which may be attached to the frame of a conventional carwithout any modifications in the structure thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forrelieving the Weight of a vehicle upon the wheels with which thesteering of the same is effected having provision for the movement ofthe end of the vehicle when the steering wheels are raised.

With these and other objects in view which may be incident to myimprovements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to behereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that theseveral necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied inconstruction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown inthe accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practicaleffect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applicationsto the particular construction, which for the purpose of explanationhave been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing a support for elevating thesteering wheels of a vehicle mounted on the under side of the front axlethereof;

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the manner of positioning anotherform of support;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a modified form of support;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View showing the support mounted on theend of a vehicle frame;

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of a support having a springattachment tending to move the same to a vertical position when lowered;

Figures 6 through 12 are perspective views of modified forms ofsupports;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on line Iii-l3 of Figure 10; 5Figure 14 shows another form of the base contact portion applicable tothe support shownin Figure 5;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of another modified form of the basecontact portion, made integral with the bottom of the support;

Figure 16 is a front view of one of the legs of the support shown inFigure 5 shown with a modified form of spring attachment;

Figure 17 is a side view taken on line l'l-i'l of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a front elevational view of a modified form of support ofthe character shown in Figure 2 having rollers mounted on the bottom;

Figure 19 is a side view taken on line l9l9 of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a front elevational view of another form of support havinga plurality of pairs of rollers mounted on the bottom thereof;

Figure 21 is a side View taken on line 2l-2l of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a front elevational view showing a modified form ofmounting the support at a point in a vertical plane with thelongitudinal axis of the vehicle for freedom of movement with respect tothe axle of a vehicle.

Figure 23 is a sectional view taken on line 2323 of Figure 22.

Referring more particularly by numerals to the drawings in which thesame and similar elements are designated by like symbols of referencethroughout, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is shown the frontaxle of a vehicle bifurcated at each end as at 2 and 3. Stub axles 4 aremounted between the furcations and held by kingpins 5. Stud shafts (notshown) project from the stub axles 4, upon which are positioned wheelshaving tires 6 mounted thereon, the wheels being held in theconventional manner on the axle and the mounting protected by hub capsfitted on the shaft. The axle l is formed with top and bottom flanges 8and 9.

The support for elevating the steering wheels is mounted on theunderside of the axle and extends over on each side of a point in theplane with the longitudinal center of gravity of a vehicle. The supportis subject to a number of modifications, as will be noted in the severalfigures of the drawings and with reference to my copending applicationSerial No. 350,685, filed March 28, 1929, of which the presentapplication is a continuation in part.

According to the preferred embodiment, a support of the character shownin Figure 18 is employed. This form of support comprises a base portionhaving a plurality of sides I l and I2, with rollers I3 and I4 mountedtherebetween, and held by axles l6 and i1 respectively, extendingthrough the sides of the base portion. A pair of blocks I9 and 20 havingthreaded apertures are fixedly mounted between the ends of the baseportions H and I 2, adapted to receive reduced threaded extensions 2|and 22 formed on upright arms 23 and 2 3. The arms 23 and 24 are turnedover at the ends so as to provide horizontal journals 25 and 26.

The horizontal journals 25 and 26 are provided with collars 2'! and 28adjacent the upright arms adapted to fit against bearings 29 and 3!mounted on the underside of the axle l and held by a plurality of clamps32 as shown in Figure 1. The horizontal arms 25 and 2'6 are adapted toextend through the bearings 29 and 3! respectively, and fixed. thereinby collars 33 and 33 mounted on the ends, the same being secured by setscrews 35 and 36.

The support is mounted across a point in a plane with the longitudinalcenter of gravity of a vehicle and is of such a length that when it isvertically positioned the weight of the vehicle on the tires 6 will berelieved. It is preferable that the support be constructed of suficientlength to elevate the tires entirely from the roadbed when the same isplaced upright. The journals 25 and 26 of the support are free to movein the bearings 29 and 38 so that the support may be readily lowered orraised. The clamps 32 holding the bearings on the under side of the axlel extending through plates 37 resting on the top of the axle and areheld by nuts 38.

As the support is free to swing it will be apparent that when it islowered it will rest on the surface supporting the vehicle, butextending below the periphery of the tires it will not normally fall ina vertical position. To raise the end of the vehicle upon which thesupport is mounted it is intended that the vehicle be driven backward ifthe support is positioned in the rear of the axle, whereupon the rollersl3 and M will engage the surface upon which the same rest transverse tothe line of travel, and the front wheels may be lifted from the groundby the driving force exerted by the rear wheels, under the control ofthe driver.

When the support is in an upright position, the weight of the vehicle onthe elevated tires is relieved and the vehicle may be held stationary inthis position by application of the brakes on the back wheels until thesteering wheels are turned to the desired angle. The brakes may then bereleased and the car driven off the support. If the support ispositioned in the front of the axle, the steering wheels may be raisedby the reverse operation, that is by driving the vehicle forward. In alike manner, if it is desired to discontinue using the support when itis resting in front of the axle the car may be driven over the same sothat the support is placed in the rear of the axle where it then may beraised to inoperative position.

In maneuvering for the desired position of a vehicle it is of courseapparent that the operation of bringing the end of the vehicle up on thesupport, to allow free turning of the steering wheels, may be repeatedany number of times until the vehicle is either driven in or cut of aconfined area, of the character of a parking space.

The foregoing operation is the same as is employed in using the devicedisclosed in my copending application reference to which has alreadybeen given. According to the present invention, the rollers i3 and. itmounted on the bottom of a support are intended to allow movement of thevehicle in the direction at substantially right angles to the normalline of travel, if the vehicle cannot be properly positioned bymanipulation of the steering wheels.

When the support is in an upright position, relieving the weight of thevehicle on the steering wheels and in the present instance elevating thesame from the roadbed, the end of the car supported on the rollers maybe pushed in the desired direction a point between the rear wheelsacting as a pivot. In this manner both the front and rear wheels mayeasily be parked adjacent a curb.

On the outer face of each of the blocks !9 and 28, mounted between thesides of the base portion of the support, are fastened strips 39 and llextending downwardly to a point in a plane with the periphery of therollers i3 and i l and in the line of travel thereof. Similar strips 42attached to the vehicle, tending to move the and 43 are secured on bars44 mounted transversely between the sides H and I2 forming the baseportion of the support, between the rollers l3 and 4. These strips areintended to divert movable obstructions from the course of the rollersand may be made of any suitable material of sufficient strength to turnstones or other movable irregularities in the road surface. Also, thesestrips may be made of a suitable spring metal extending slightly below apoint in the plane with the periphery of the rollers to grip the roadsurface when it is desired to raise the end of the vehicle on thesupport, and prevent slipping of the rollers preparatory to elevatingthe end of the vehicle.

The position of the support, according to the preferred embodiment ofthis invention, may be controlled by the operator while driving thevehicle, as shown in Figure 2. One end of a connecting rod 45 is pivotedto the arm 24 on a pin 46 integrally constructed thereon or attached ina suitable manner, and the other end of the rod hinged on a lever 41through a pin 48. The lever 41 is pivoted on a bracket 49 mounted on theunder side of the frame of the vehicle, the lever extending into thedriving compartment for operation by the person manipulating thesteering wheel of the vehicle.

When the lever is drawn backward, the support is lowered or when movedforward the same raised to a horizontal position. The bracket is formedwith a plurality of notches 55 for engagement with a spring operated pin5|, movement of which is controlled by the operator of the vehiclethrough a rod (not shown), encased in the lever. Thus, if the support israised to a horizontal position, it may be fixed in place by engagementof the pin 51 in the rear notch 50, and not interfere with the roadclearance of the vehicle. A leaf spring 52 is mounted on the axle I,adapted to be engaged by the support when the same is raised to ahorizontal position. The support when held against the spring has notendency to rattle or to become loosened by constant movement. Thespring 52 is connected to a strap 53 extending around the axle and heldby a rivet 54.

When it is desired to make use of the support the catch is released bythe operator so that it is free to swing and allowed to come in contactwith the road surface. After the vehicle has been driven on the supportin the manner already described, it will automatically be locked in thevertical position by the pin 5! coming to engagement with the forwardnotch 50 in the bracket. If a fixed position of the support is notdesired, however, the pin 5! may be held down by the operator or lockedout of contact with the notch in any suitable manner.

When the support is locked in a vertical position, the elevated end ofthe vehicle may be moved on the rollers by pushing the vehicle, or ifthere is sufficient curve in the crown of the roadway, the vehicle maymove to the side by the force of gravity. Movement of the elevated endof the vehicle may be regulated by controlling the brakes on the rearwheels, that is of the rear wheels are locked the elevated end of thevehicle will not move except if pushed, but if free the end of thevehicle may be allowed to swing through an arc, the vehicle pivoting ona point between the center of the rear wheels which will revolve inopposite directions.

It has been found advisable under certain conditions to connect thesupport with a spring support to a vertical position and preventslipping of the support on the road surface when it is lowered forelevating the end of the vehicle. In Figures 1, 5.16, and 17, areillustrated several forms of springs suitable for attachment to thesupport.

In Fig. 1,-one end of a helical spring 55 is mounted on the axle I ofthe vehicle at the center thereof and held by a clamp 56, the other endbeing seated in a socket 51 formed in the center of the top of the baseportion of the support. This spring tends to move the support to avertical position when it is placed either to the rear or front of theaxle and lends to a more positive gripping of the base portion with theroad surface. In Figure 5 a round spring 58 is mounted on the under sideof the axle at the center thereof and held by clamp 59. The ends of thespring 58 are passed through eyelets 6i and 62 formed or suitablyattached on the arms 23 and 24 of the support. This type of spring alsoacts to center the support in a vertical position irrespective of whichside of the axle it is placed In Figure 16 is shown a helical spring 63mounted over the journal of the support andone end seated in the bearing29. The other end of the spring is extended downwardly adjacent the arm23 of the support and connected therewith by a collar 64 having achannel formed at the side thereof adapted to receive the end of thespring. This spring likewise works to move the support to a verticalposition. It will be appreciated that a similar spring may be mounted onthe other journal of the support if so desired.

In bringing the end of the vehicle up on the support, a twisting effectis sometimes encountered, which may strain a rigid connection betweenthe support and the vehicle. In Figures 22 and 23 is depicted a mode ofattachment designed to prevent damage to the support by such twistingmovements which at most are comparatively slight. In this constructionthe arms 23 and 24 of the support are integrally constructed with a bar65 adapted to lie parallel with and on the under side of the axle. Thebar is held in the center by a clamp 66 suitably held on the axle at apoint in a plane with the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle,and having provision for lateral movement of the support. The ends ofthe bar 65 adjacent the arms are held against blocks 61 and 68 clampedon the axle by brackets 69 and H screwed thereto, allowing lateralmovement of, the end of the bar. It is obvious that the form shown inFigures 22 and 23 is provided with rollers as in the analogous formsshown in Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21.

The support is, of course, subject to a number of modifications, as isnoted in Figures 1, 3 and 5 to 12, inclusive. In Figure 1 is shown asupport having the arms 23 and 24 bent inwardly from the ends of thebase portion to lend a slight resiliency to the support and a strap 12mounted on the arm 24 for attachment with the operating lever 45 throughthe connecting arm 45.

In Figure 3 the support is shown with the base portion bent upwardly inthe center to provide a pair of contact legs 13 and 14 adapted to reston each side of a point in a plane with the longitudinal center ofgravity of a vehicle when the support is positioned upright. Thisconstruction also allows for a small degree of flexibility by reason ofthe curvature of the base portion.

In a type of support depicted in Figure 6, the

arms 23 and 24 are joined by connecting rods 15 and 16, and turned overat the bottom to form axles l1 and 18 for receiving the rollers l3 andH. In this construction the rollers may be dispensed with and the bottomof the arms allowed to serve as feet. In Figure '7, the support is shownas constructed of an integral plate of metal [8 turned over at thebottom and the edge serrated as at 19 to lend a more positive grippingeffect to the base portion. One side of the support is provided with aprojection 8| for attachment of the connecting arm 45 to the operatinglever. The top of the support is turned over about a bar 82 extendingout on each side of the support for seating in the bearings 29 and 3|.This support is intended to insure a rigid structure. The collars 21 and28 are dispensed with, the sides of the support acting to retain the bar82 in proper position in the bearings in this construction.

The support shown in Figure 8 includes the bar 82 having the collars 21and 28 mounted thereon and a curved supporting arm 83 formed with ahorizontal base contact portion 84 welded to the bar. This support isadapted to afford a resiliency of structure, both as regards verticalforces and for movement around a vertical axis caused by twisting whichsometimes occurs in the use of the support. The support shown in Figure9 is similar to that shown in Figure 5 with the exception of the arms 23and 24, which are bent over as at 85 and 86 to provide a flexiblesupport of the character shown in Figure 8.

The support shown in Figure 10 is similar to that depicted in Figure '7except the base portion is bent over to form a shoe 8'! better shown inFigure 13. This shoe presents a curved base contact portion upon whichmay be mounted a flexible bottom plate 88 made of rubber or othersuitable material having vacuum cups 89 formed thereon to afford a morepositive gripping of the road surface than would otherwise be obtained.

In Figure 11 is shown a support similar to that depicted in Figure 5having the ends of the arms bent over at the bottom at right angles andlikewise the ends of the base portion, to form bottom supports 9|adapted to afford extended longitudinal contact surfaces as well asextended transverse contact portion residing in the various forms ofsupports already described.

In Figure 12 is shown a type of support having a plurality of pairs ofintegrally constructed arms 82 and 93 bent around the bar 82 to formcollars 94 and spread at the bottom and connected by integral crosspieces 95, adapted to serve the same purpose as the base 9| of thesupport shown in Figure 11. The pairs of arms are joined by connectingrods 96 bent around each of the arms as at 91.

In Figure 14 is shown a support similar to the support shown in Figure 5having a section of rubber tubing 98 mounted on the base contact portionto afford a more secure engagement with the road surface than could beobtained by a metallic member. This tube may be either fixedly mountedon the base portion or loosely placed for rotation, to prevent wear of asingle area thereof. Another form of base contact portion is shown inFigure 15 in which the bottom is hollowed out as at 99 so as to providea plurality of transverse contact surfaces I0! and I02. Also in thisconstruction the base may be somewhat flattened out so as to increasethe distance between the contact surfaces.

In Figures 20 and 21 is also shown a type of support similar to thatshown in Figure 5 having a pair of carriages I03 and I04 either pivotedor fixedly mounted on the base contact portion. A plurality of rollersI85 are mounted on the carriages through axle I06, adapted to afford asupport similar to that shown in Figure 18. The carriages are alsoprovided with strips Ill! to divert obstructions from the path of therollers in the same manner as the strips shown on each side of therollers in Figure 18. If so desired, the rollers l 05 may be dispensedwith and the carriages allowed to act as shoes for gripping the pavementover an extended two dimensional area. Also, castors or balls may bemounted on the support in a suitable manner in place of the rollersshown.

This invention is, of course, not restricted to the mounting of thesupport on the under side of the front axle but it may be attached toany other convenient part of the vehicle as, for example, on the frameshown in Figure 4. In this construction there is shown a support I08similar to the support shown in Figure 8 mounted on the front of theframe and held by bolt I09.

In installing the device forming the subject matter of this invention ona vehicle, it is apparent that any one of the several types of supportswhich have been illustrated, or other modified forms, may be employedand the same fixed to the under side of the front axle of a vehicle inany convenient manner or to any other part of the vehicle upon which itis found desirable to attach the same. The invention is likewise notlimited to any particular operating mechanism for lowering or raisingthe same as the form described is,

of course, subject to modification, and any arrangement capable ofraising and lowering the support is satisfactory for the purpose ofpracticing the invention.

In using the support, if the free turning of the steering wheels isdesired or if it is wished to move one end of the vehicle in an area tooconfined for manipulation of the steering wheel, the support may belowered to contact with the roadway upon which the vehicle is resting,whereupon by movement of the car in either direction, according towhether the support is positioned in the front or rear of the mounting,the end of the car may be elevated and the wheels freely turned.

If rollers are employed on the bottom of the support the support may belocked in the vertical position and the end of the car either pushed inthe desired direction, or if there is suflicient slope in the crown ofthe road the vehicle allowed to roll, the side movement of the vehiclebeing controlled by application of the brakes on the rear wheels. Whenfurther use of the device is no longer desired the support may be raisedand locked into position above the road clearance of the vehicle.

There is accomplished by this invention a device for simultaneouslyrelieving the weight on the steering wheels of a vehicle or elevatingone end of the same, upon movement of the vehicle, that affords facilityin directing a course while the vehicle is operating in confined areas,on which the end of the vehicle elevated may be moved in a directionopposite the normal line of travel and when use of the device isdiscontinued the same raised above the road clearance of the vehicle.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself tothe precise details of construction herein set forth, by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may bemade therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described for relieving at least part ofthe weight on at least one of the steering wheels of a vehiclecomprising a compression element supported on the vehicle, and uponwhich the vehicle is adapted to be driven by either forward or backwardmovement of the vehicle, depending upon the initial point of contact ofthe compression element with the roadway, and single spring meanstending to move and to hold the compression element into operativerelation to the roadway for raising the vehicle by either said forwardor backward movement.

2. A vehicle lifting device comprising a support having a base contactportion, said support being capable of either forward or" backwardmovement to raise the vehicle, arms extending upwardly from the baseportion for pivoting on the vehicle, and a helical spring connected tothe base portion of the support and the vehicle, tending to maintain thesupport in a vertical position.

3. A vehicle lifting device comprising a support having a base contactportion, said support being capable of either forward or backwardmovement to raise the vehicle, arms extending upwardly from the baseportion for the pivoting on the vehicle, and a spring member mounted onthe vehicle having the ends connected to the corresponding arms of thesupport tending to move the support to a vertical position and to keepit there.

4. A vehicle lifting device comprising a support having a base contactportion, said support being capable of either forward or backwardmovement to raise the vehicle, arms extending upwardly from the baseportion having the ends turned over for pivoting the support on theunder side of a vehicle, and a spring helically wound around one of theturned over portions having one end fixedly held adjacent the turnedover portion and the other end extending downwardly and similarly heldadjacent the arm, tending to move the support to a vertical position andto hold it there.

JOHN LESTER BARR.

